EAST ASIA BRIEF 130-75. 4

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
15
Document Creation Date: 
December 19, 2016
Document Release Date: 
June 14, 2005
Sequence Number: 
32
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
August 20, 1975
Content Type: 
CABLE
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PDF icon CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4.pdf442.31 KB
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Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T006q Secret /30 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 1. LAOS: THE COMMUNISTS MAY BE PLANNING TO USE THE DEMONSTRATIONS IN VIENTIANE TO RID THE GOVERNMENT OF ADDITIONAL NON-COMMUNIST 25X1)ERSONALITIES . Y DEMONSTRATORS WILL DEMAND A PURGE OF CORRUPT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AT THE FINAL MASS RALLY, REPORTEDLY SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 22 TO CELEBRATF THE "LIBERATION" OF THE CITY. SPECIFIC TARGETS MAY INCLUDE DEFENSE MINISTER PHENG PHONGSAVAN, A ONCE-POWERFUL NEUTRALIST POLITICIAN, AND ARMED FORCES COMMANDER BOUNPONE MARKTHEPARAKS. IF THESE OFFICIALS ARE ACCUSED OF CORRUPTION, THEY WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY RESIGN AND BE REPLACED BY LESSER KNOWN FIGURES DEPENDENT ON THE COMC1UNISTS.W//M //AS THE PROCESS OF "LIBERATING" VIENTIANE IS BEING COMPLETED, THE COMMUNISTS HAVE BEEN TIGHTENING THEIR CONTROL OVER THE POPULATION. POLICE UNITS REPORTEDLY HAVE BEEN ROUNDING UP YOUNG PEOPLE JUDGED HOOLIGANS BECAUSE OF LONG HAIR AND FLAMBOYANT WESTERN ATTIRE. PATHET LAO TROOPS HAVE SET UP DATE: ORIG: UNIT: EXT: Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 ROADBLOCKS 'THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO EXAMINE DOCUMENTATION AND SEARCH VEHICLES. THE POLICE SO FAR HAVE BEEN POLITE IN DEALINGS WITH AMERICAN DIPLOMATS E-2 IMPDET.d VIENTIANE, WAS JOINTLY GOVERNED BY THE TWO SIDEC~ 25X1. 25X1 THE COMMUNISTS ON AUGUST 18 REPORTEDLY COMPLETED THEIR TAKE-OVER OF LUANG PRABANG, THE ROYAL CAPITAL. ACCORDING TO RADIO PATHET LAO, DEMONSTRATORS IN THE CITY DEMANDED THE OUSTER OF ALL LOCAL ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS. THE OLD ADMINISTRATION, THEREFORE, WAS COMPLETELY ABOLISHED AND NEW "REVv;.UTIONARY" OFFICIALS 2 APPOINTED. UNDER THE 1973 PEACE ACCORDS, LUANG PRABANG, LIKE 5X1 25X1 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 URUGUAY: THE CONFLICT BETWEEN CIVILIAN AND MILITARY OFFICIALS OVER CONTROL Of THE NATION'S ECONOMIC POLICYMAKING MACHINERY HAS BEEN TEt1PORARIOY 1 ESOLVED i BUT THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF THE DIFFICULTIES REMAIN?Y MINISTER OF ECONOMY AND FINANCE ALEJANDRO VEGH% WHO RESIGNED WHEN THE MILITARY ATTEMPTED TO CANCEL A 0110 MILLION LOAN HE HAD NEGOTIATED WITH A CONSORTIUM OF FOREIGN BANKS+ VITHDREM HIS RESIGNA- TION AFTER PRESIDENT BORDABERRY AND THE MILITARY HIGH COMMAND AGREED TO LET THE LOAN GO ThiROUGH- VEGH, HOWEVER FAILED IN HIS ATTEMPT TO HAVE GENERAL ABDON RAIMUPtDEZ, VICE PRESIDENT Of THE BANK Of THE REPUBLIC AND AN OPPOP ENI OF HIS AUSTERITY POLICY% REMOVED :'ROM HIS POSITIOR- Y THE IISPUTE AID, ITS COMPROMISE SOLUTION ARE TYPICAL Of THE DIFFICULTn:; VEGH AND OTHER CIVILIANS HAVE HAD WITH MILITARY OFFICERS WHO OCCUPY KEY FISTS 'THROUGHOUT THE BUREAUCRACY- W} ILE t]IEGH MAY BE WILE TO CENTRALIZE POLICYMAKING ON ECONOMIC MATTERS IN HIS OFFICE FOR A WHILES HIS MOVES WILL BE CLOSELY S1 UTINIZED BY THE MILITARY Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 X1 5X1 HIGH COMMAND. THE CONFLICT BETWEEN CIVIIIAN 14 41 MILITARY OFPICIA`S OVER WHO LAKES ECONOMIC POLICY WILL C6NTINL" ','0 BE THE NATION" S MAJOR POLITIC IRRITANT. 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608FJ000300010032-4 95X1 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 I. PORTUGAL: THE COMMUNIST COUNTEROFFENSIVE THAT BEGAII LAST WEEK WHEN PARTY LEADER CUNHAL EXHORTED PARTY MILITANTS TO RETURN' TO AREAS IN NORTHERN PORTUGAL APPEARS TO HAVE STALLS: i> . M THE COMMUNISTS HAVE CANCELED THE SECOND RALLY OF THEIR CAMPAIGN-SCHEDULED FOR PORTO TUESDAY NIGHT-IN VIEW OF "THE CUs'RENT POLITICAL SITUATION." THEIR FIRST EFFORT, IN AL.COBACA, RAN INTO STIFF RESISTANCE.Y THE DECISION TO CALL OFF THE PORTO BALL',' WAS DOUBTLESS INFLUENCED BY CONTINUING ATTACKS ON PARTY OFFICES IN THE I.1ORT1;- IN A TOWN NEAR PORTO LAST NIGHT, A PARTY MEMBER WAS KILLED BY GUNFIRE FROM SECURITY FORCES. EVEN THOUGH THE COMMUNISTS HAVE VOWED TO "TAKE PRECAUTIONS" AGAINST THE ANTI-COMMUNISTS-1 PARTY LEADERS HAVE BEEN MADE CAUTIOUS BY THE GROWING TENDENCY OF INTERNAL SECURITY TROOPS-ESPECIALLY IN THE NORTH-TO ACT ON THEIR OUN-Y 25X1 UNIT: EXT: -.,,.v4 oM.ed For Release 2005/06/ ,i.CAA.RDP86T00608R0003000100'32-4,7 ? "'" R_PRODUCTION 9P OTHER THAN THE ISSUING OFFICE IS PRoH19IrED Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 PRESSING FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE REGIONAL COMMANDER, GENERAL CORVACHO, CONSIDERED TO BE A COMMUNIST SYMPATHIZER AND AN ALLY OF PRIME MINISTER GONCALVES. ACCORDING TO A COMMUNIQUE RELEASED ON TUESDAY BY PHE il;~i~THE J REGIONAL HEADQUAc%TERS, CORIVAC,iO HAS BEEN TEMPORARILY RELIEVED OF HIS COMMANDEY COMMUNIST CONTROL OF LABOR IS ALSO ERODING. THE PARTY MADE A CONCERTED EFFORT TO SHOD ITS ]MUSCLE BY CAI-LING FOR A HALF-HOUR GENERAL STRIKE ON TUESDAY, MODIFIED THE CALL BY LIMITING IT TO THE LISBON AREA- THE IMPACT OF THE STRIKE WAS MINIMAL. ITS PRIMARY EFFECT UAS TO FEED A~'JTI-COMMUNIST SENTIMENT IN LISBON THE FAILURE OF THE STRIKE WILL BE SEEN AS ANOTHER DEFEAT FOND PRIME MINISTER GONCALVES.Y FORMER PRESIDENT SPINOL.A, U'110 IS LIVING IN EXILE IN RIO DE JANEIRO, HAS ADDED HIS '10_CE TO THE ANTI-GONCALVES CHORUS. IN AN OPEN LETTER TO PRES_DE:JT COSTA GOMES, SPIMOLA APPEALED FOR UNITY 9EHIND HIS "DEMOCRA 1 IC MOVEMENT FOR THE LIBERATION OF PORTUGAL." COSTA GO;'!ES - U !H3 RELEASED THE DOCUMENT ON T IJ =SDAY, CRITICIZED SPINOLA, BUT DID N"O T CONDEMN THE LETTER. %' DATE: ORIG: UNIT: EXT: ;Approved For Release 2005/06/22 CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010Q32-4,,,.,,,. WFN ly`..~ :.jl1Cl';.._.`i ..! U??HE? ? ..': I i' '? .lG OF... S ~pQH 'i' ..1 L: .r M_. Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 xi IN FACT, THE APPEAL FROM SPINOLA MAY ADD FORCE TO THE PERIODIC WARNINGS FROM GONCALVES THAT PORTUGAL IS IN DANGER OF RETURNING TO FASCISM. THIS DANGER IS OF SUCH AN OVERRIDING CONCEi N FOR 1`i_ i1E" SRS rr iriE ~~ED i ORCES MOVEMENT iHAi iA;i''~ WILL CONTINUE TO HESITATE TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST GONCALVES (,\P\-. IF HE IS FINALLY OUSTED, THEY WILL SEEK TO MAKE SURE THAT A NEW GOVERNMENT DOES NOT PROVIDE AN OPENING TO THE RIGHT. 2. USSR-POR T UGUAL : PRAVDA PUBLISHED AN AUTHORITATIVE "OBSERVER" ARTICLE ON TUESDAY 0`1 THE SITUATION IN PORTUGAL. UNLIKE MOST SOVIET COMMENTARY ON THE SUBJECT, THE ARTICLE EXPRESSES MOSCOW'S VIEWS DIRECTLY, RATHER THAN THROUGH THE MOUTHS OF THE PORTUGUESE COMMUNISTS OR OTHER I`aTERMEDIARIES.Y LIKE OTHER RECENT SOVIET COVERAGE, THE GENERAL TONE OF 'i'!?i,_ "OBSERVER" ARTICLE IS DEF:E.SIVE ,ND P-SSTMISTIC. AS THE D LSIn-_;S OF THE PORTUGUESE COH"U;1::S T S HAS DE-EPENED, THE SOVI=T' S A';'r'ARr i T CONFIDENCE ABOUT THE CC ;RSE OF EVENTS IN PORTUGAL ;-i;',("I'J-N TO INCaF_A~.ING CRIT:CCI_;"' OF OUTS MEDDLING.Y RIC: UNIT: ::XT: .,....Approved For Release 2005/06422.:.CIA-R?P86T00608R000300010032-4 kEF C f'G?':1~ 07},go .?. ...._ -. ICE Ii i'?i)Y,'' 2tiX1 Approved For Release 2005/06/22: CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 PRESENT SITUATION IN PORTUGAL AND EVENTS IN CHILE JUST BEFORE THE OVERTHROW OF ALLENDE THAT FIRST APPEARED IN A SOVIET BROADCAST TO HUNGARY ON AUGUST 15. NATO, THE WESTERN PRESS, WESTERN ECONOMIC ORGANIZATIONS AND, SIGNIFICANTLY,-"INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL DEMOCRACY;" ARE SEVERELY CRITICIZED IN THE ARTICLE. THE CHINESE ALSO ARE DRAGGED INTO THE CAST OF EVILDOERS; THEY ARE ACCUSED OF COOPERATING WITH INTERNATIONAL?YEACTION BY FOMENTING DISCORD EN ANGOLA AND THE AZORES.Y PRAVDA CHARGES THAT THE PORTUGUESE SOCIALIST LEADERS ARE PROVIDING A RALLYING POINT FOR REACTIONARIES BY ATTACKING THE COMMUNISTS, BUT THE TONE IS LESS STRIDENT THAN WHEN MOSCOU DENOUNCED THE SOCIALISTS IMMEDIATELY AFTER THEY LEFT THE GOVERNMENT. INDEED, 31PRAVDA AGAIN CALLS FOR "CONCERTED ACTION" BY THE ARMED FORCES MOVEMENT, THE COMMUNISTS, THE SOCIALISTS, AND OTHER LEFT PROGRESSIVE FORCES. THE SOVIETS HAVE REPEATED THIS THEME, WHICH IS NOW AT LEAST NOMINALLY IN ACCO&I WITH CUNHALJ'S *OWN PROFESSED POLICIES, MORE FREQUENTLY TN ".ECI_N T DATE: ORIG: UNIT: EXT: R'; t"'.'. UM.'IICER CLlOrtt)I'IA(INIi OFFICFRS A:l- `. (. c. ;i ?.. ,,,) . Approved Fray.Wq@% ;@@5jA -+>a I r g@f @@ A W9A4A,032,4 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 DAYS-Y THE SOVIETS WOULD CLEARLY LIKE TO SEE THE POR?ri.IGUESE COMMUNESTS RECOVER FROM THEIR PRESENT ISOLATION, BUT THERE IS LITTLE INDICATION THEY BELIEVE THEIR EXHORTATIONS !MILL HAVE MUCH PRACTICAL EFFECT. PRAVDA 3JCONCLUDES WITH A CALL FOR? "MASSIVE SOLIDARITY'" WITH THE FORCES FIGHTING REACTION IN PORTUGAL- UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, THIS IS THE MINIMUM THAT MOSCOW MIGHT BE EXPECTED TO SAY TO PRESERVE ITS REVOLUTIONARY' CREDENTIALS. PRAVDA OFFERS NO PRACTICAL ADVICE AND PROVIDES NO CLUES ABOUT WHAT., IF ANY, ACTION THE SOVIETS THEMSELVES MIGHT TAKE IN SUPPORT OF THE PORTUGUESE COMMUNISTS. 3. HUNGARY-PORTUGAL: THE HUNGARIAN COMMUNIST PARTY HAS BECOT1E THE FIST IN EASTERN EUROPE TO ISSUE A FORMAL STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY WITH THE PORTUGUESE C01IMUNIST PARTY. IN A 113-WORD STATEMENT TO THE PCP CENTRAL COMMIT- TEE THAT HAD CLEARLY BEEN COORDINATED WITH i1OSC0111), THE HUNGARIAN PARTY CENTRAL COMMITTEE EXPRESSES SHOCK AT THE "INCREASINGLY ORGANIZED" ATTACKS e, p. ?iNC? J.rau COORDINATING C)FtlC RS A.'Il?__?'" " ?" '- ''r ..i4pproved Fo ct se:2QO5/66122x N4~RD O8R0003O 01 A32-4.= L ~,'. Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 AGAINST PORTUGUESE DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT; CITES COOPERATION BETWEEN THE "DEMOCRACY ANTIFASCIST FORCES" AS THE BEST DEFENSE; AND ASSURES "THE PORTUGUESE COMMUNISTS AND THE ANTIFASCISTS" OF HUNGARIAN SOLIDARITY.Y THE HUNGARIAN DECLARATION, MADE NO PROMISE OF ANY AID. VERBAL STATEMENTS SUCH AS THIS PRO- VIDE AN EASY [JAY FOR THE SOVIETS TO DISPLAY THEIR SUPPORT OF THE PORTUGUESE COMMUNISTS, AND THE HUNGARIAN STATEMENT WILL PROBABLY BE FOLLOWED BY OTHERS FROM EASTERN EUROPE. 25X1 25X1 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 POSITION I.IITH EGYPT ARE PREPARING TO MOUNT INTENSIVE DEMONSTRATIONS TO COINCIDE WITH SECRETARY KISSINGER'S VISIT TO THE MIDDLE EAST STARTING ON THURSDAY.//Y DEFENSE MINISTER PERES, AND FOREIGN MINISTER ALLON. THE CONSENSUS AGREEMENT IJORKED OUT BY THE I1;~t~OTIATING TEAM OF PRIME MINISTER RABIN, PREVENT RATIFICATION BY THE HH1ESSET OF AN EVENTUAL NEW SINAI 1.//ISRAEL RIGHT-WING CRITICS OF THE GOVERNMENT'S NEGOTIATING //IT IS UNLIKELY THAT SUCH TACTICS WILL DISSUADE THE GOVERNMENT FROM ITS CHOSEN COURSE OF ACTION, OR THAT RIGHT-WING PRESSURES WILL DECIDE TO CITE THE DEMONSTRATIONS TO JUSTIFY TEL AVIV'S OPPOSITION SMALL-TO-COMFORTABLE MARGIN. RABIN.COULD, HOWEVER, AT SOME POINT BEEN IN CONTACT RECENTLY IS THAT AN AGREEMENT WOULD PASS BY A AMONG KNESSET DEPUTIES WITH WHOM THE US EMBASSY IN TEL AVIV HAS TO MAKING FURTHER CONCESSIONS. //Y TO PROTEST ANY ISRAELI WITHDRAWAL IN THE SINAI IN TI-i~ AB:~'7N'1CE ?F A // SOiiE OF THE LEMO:'iSTFATION` S COULD BE LARGE. THE LlIKUD OP?o:ITION BLOC ASSEMBLED APPROXIMATELY 25,000 PEOPLE IN TEL AVIV LAST i'Q'iT!a Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 FORMAL EGYPTIAN DECLARATION OF NONBELLIGERENCY?//Y. //A SUBSTANTIAL AND GROWING NUMBER OF ISRAELIS ARE CLEARLY UNEASY ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH EGYPT. THEY FEAR THAT SECRETARY KISSINGER'S ARRIVAL IN TEL AVIV TOMORROW SIGNALS AN INTENSIFICATION OF US PRESSURE AN ISRAEL TO MAKE ADDITIONAL CONCESSIONS TO EGYPT, BUT WITHOUT RECEIVING ADEQUATE SAFEGUARDS FROM CAIRO AGAINST A NEW ATTACK. ISRAELI PUBLIC OPINION POLLS HAVE REFLECTED A SHARP DECLINE SINCE APRIL IN THE NUMBER OF ISRAELIS WHO THINK THAT US MIDDLE EAST POLICY SUPPORTS ISRAEl. //4' //THE MOST RECENT OPINION POLL SHOWS THAT ALMOST HALF OF THE RESPONDENTS ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S CONDUCT OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. AS REFLECTED IN THE ISRAELI PRESS, THIS SEEMS IN GOOD MEASURE ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEA?S THAT'TEL AVIV IS CAUGHT UP IN A PROCESS THE TIMING AND OUTCOME OF WHICH CANNOT BE CONTROLLED BY THE RABIN GOVERNMENT.//Y //MANY ISRAELIS QUESTION UHETHER THE GOVERNIIENT HAS -', CLEAR NEGOTIATING CONCEPT AND TS NOT SIMPLY RESPONDING TO EXTERNAL PRESSURES. RABINAI' S BASIC POSITION THAT A NEW AGREEMENT HILL GAIN DATE: O G: UNIT: EXT: Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4 TIME FOR ISRAEL HAS ALSO BEEN CHALLENGED BY PROMINENT ISRAELIS- CRITICS WITHIN THE PRIME MINISTER'S LABOR PP?TY, SUCH AS FORMER DEFENSE MINISTER DAYAN AND FORMER FOREIGN MINISTER EBAN, HAVE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS STATED PUBLICLY THAT IT IS ILLUSORY TO EXPECT ANOTHER SINAI AGREEMENT TO AVE ISRAEL A RESPITE FROM ADDITIONAL NEGOTIATIONS.//Y //THE GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED A CAMPAIGN TO COUNTER THE CRITICS AND TO EXPLAIN THE POTENTIAU BENEFITS OF ANOTHER AGREEMENT WITH EGYPT. RABIN DEFENDED THE GOVERNNEVJT'S NEGOTIATING POSITION AND THE SECRETARY'S VISIT AT A STORMY KNESSET SESSION MONDAY ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE NEGOTIATIONS HAVE NOW REACHED AN "ADVANCED"ISTAGE. HE REPORTEDLY TOLD A LABOR ALIGNMENT CAUCUS THAT AN INTERIM AGREEMENT WITH EGYPT WOULD NOT OILY PROVIDE A .CHANCE TO IMPROVE ARAB-ISRAELI RELATIONS, BUT WOULD ALSO LEAD T O "UNPRECEDENTED" US-ISRAELI COOPERATION. 1X1 Approved For Release 2005/06/22 : CIA-RDP86T00608R000300010032-4